Propane tank age out, refurbish or replace?

CabinetmakerII wrote:

KD4UPL wrote:
I vote for re certification. It should be cheaper and doesn't leave you needing to dispose of what are likely 2 perfectly functional old tanks.
Or, just find a dealer who will refill them anyway. I've found, on my 20# tanks, that less than 10% of the time does anyone ever look at the date. I've used "expired" tanks for years. You just need to know where to get them filled.

If the place you are getting your "Expired" refilled is ever caught by the authorities they will loose there license to dispense propane and could be fined for doing so. If they are not checking the tanks, shame on them. Why would you take the chance on an outdated tank just to save a few bucks.

Because there is nothing wrong with those outdated tanks. It's just another money grab.

I have a couple of 100 pound cylinders here on the farm that are from the 50's. I refill them myself out of my home tank. As long as they are not rusty they are fine. When was the last time you heard of a propane tank just blowing up at random ?? I bet you never have.

My local propane distributor will recert for free. Consists of a visual check for excessive rust or damage and a functional test which basically means does it fill properly and not leak. No pressure testing, no xrays or ultrasound testing, it's not that complicated.

KD4UPL wrote:
I vote for re certification. It should be cheaper and doesn't leave you needing to dispose of what are likely 2 perfectly functional old tanks.
Or, just find a dealer who will refill them anyway. I've found, on my 20# tanks, that less than 10% of the time does anyone ever look at the date. I've used "expired" tanks for years. You just need to know where to get them filled.

If the place you are getting your "Expired" refilled is ever caught by the authorities they will loose there license to dispense propane and could be fined for doing so. If they are not checking the tanks, shame on them. Why would you take the chance on an outdated tank just to save a few bucks.

BobsYourUncle wrote:
I personally prefer to recertify. It is not too expensive.

I did some research a number of years back on this topic.
One consideration is the quality of the new tanks vs that of the old. Especially if it is made in China. Who knows where the steel came from? Can't beat good old Made in the USA.

The really old tanks were heavier, because the steel was thicker. Perhaps not an issue, but these things can become a bomb in a hard collision situation. Kinda like the way car fenders used to be thicker stronger steel.

Having said that, this likely applies to really old tanks, probably past what any of us own.

But, as mentioned, why dispose of a perfectly good tank when revalving it makes it like new again.

Totally agree with you, I did the same calculations regarding recert versus new, but one day in Costco two years ago they were selling 30 pound tanks filled for $69.00 (which was a pretty awesome price in our country) so I couldn’t resist the new. But definitely the tanks are much lighter so obviously the material is thinner.

same here 4 years ago. New tanks was the easy way out.

chevman

I just re certified my tanks for $6.00 each.

Durb, I saw the "NW" in your name. Thought I would say something. How this came up, was in the summer of 2014 we were going to Alaska. So that spring I noticed that our tanks were going to date out in October of 2014. We were going to be back by that time but when I was at the propane pumper here in Yuma, AZ., I mentioned we were going to Alaska, and just recert now so I don't have to fool with it in the fall. That is when he told me that as far as he knew that Canada wouldn't accept the US recert because he had recerted many Canadian folks tanks here in Yuma during the winter, and when they got back to Canada and tried to have them filled they were told no, that they didn't accept the US recert. So I told him I'll just wait until we get back. We were stopped overnight in Whitehorse, YK. and went shopping next door to a propane pumper. I walked over and asked about the recert. He said "no we can't accept the US recert".

valhalla360 wrote:

KD4UPL wrote:
I vote for re certification. It should be cheaper and doesn't leave you needing to dispose of what are likely 2 perfectly functional old tanks.
Or, just find a dealer who will refill them anyway. I've found, on my 20# tanks, that less than 10% of the time does anyone ever look at the date. I've used "expired" tanks for years. You just need to know where to get them filled.

Yep, most of the time, they don't even look.

NOT the places I go to, every one inspects the tanks.

If you're exchanging a 20lb bottle (not to be confused with "tanks") who cares if you miss out on $2 worth of propane.
Thread is about 30lb bottles so, reading comprehension is an issue.
Re cert vs new vs who cares and find a place to fill them if they are in good shape is the question.
If you don't want to get turned away at some random place then get them in date by whatever method you wish. Financial decision not a forum question.
If your "propane place" doesn't care and you're smart enough to know whether they're in good condition or not, then do what you want.

bukhrn wrote:

mbopp wrote:

bukhrn wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:
My local refiller recertifies free for regular customers,but I just replaced a 30# that had already been recertified twice and was looking a little worse for wear. The refiller charged me $50 for a purged and filled new cylinder and will dispose of the old cylinder. He used a large bolt cutter to destroy the threaded part of the valve to make it unusable.

X-2, I had 4 20 lb tank recert. for free.
When you get one that's in too bad shape to be recertified, simply take it to one of those Blue Rhino exchange places and trade it in, $18.00 you get a Newer tank full of gas.

I get mine recertified. Aren't tanks from Blue Rhino a 15# fill?

Actually should be 16 lb, which is 80% of 20, tanks are filled to 80% for some safety reg.

I think your numbers are off a bit. A full 20# tank will weight 20# plus the weight of the tank. Blue Rhino fills their tanks to 15# plus the weight of the tank.

So, yes, you don't really get a full tank from Blue Rhino, and it says so on the sign that they are only filled to 15#.